Remembering Mark Burchell

Remebering Mark Burchell | 1964 - 2024

It is with great regret that Sussex Sharks Visually Impaired CC must advise of the death of Mark “Big Bad” Burchell.

Known to all as Burch, Burchie or “big bad", Mark made his debut for the Sharks in 2004 in a game away to RNC. His first act was with the bat, driving the first ball he received back over the bowler’s head for 6. 

In his modest and understated way it was a game or two before he ventured “I can bowl a bit”. Thus began his career which would see him known as one of the most fearsome bowlers of a generation. 

If you didn't have the privilege of seeing him bowl he generated incredible bounce as well as sharp pace, which many found too hot to handle.

His best game for the Sharks was probably the 2014 Cup Final against Somerset. With the Sharks reeling at 124-7, Burch came in at number 9 and shared a 53-run partnership to haul us up to a competitive total of 193. 

He then took 2 wickets for 18 runs, knocking over two of Somerset’s top four batsmen and restricting their scoring, which would ultimately win us the game. 

He made 81 appearances between 2004 and 2015 claiming 91 wickets and scoring just over 300 runs accumulated in many cameos towards the end of an innings.  

Anyone who knew Mark might have been confused as to how he had been given the moniker of “big bad”. 

Whilst he was certainly big at 6ft 4 and “sturdy”, he was one of the nicest men you will ever meet. The origin of the name was a training session where a young lad aged about 14 had turned up to try the game and Mark managed to hit him on the head and upper body 3  or 4  times. 

Just his natural bounce but of course we were never going to let that get in the way. The young lad then had a bowl at Burch who promptly belted him absolute miles…..and then made the lad go and get the ball stating that “his legs are younger than mine and look at him run, he is loving it” and thus the “big bad” legend was born.

Even back in 2004, Burch explained he had “had a  touch of colon cancer, but am ok now”. 

Sadly the big C continued to stalk him and at one point he joked with me: “I  probably have fewer organs left than they have had to take out but I  feel fine in myself”.  

Despite being forced to retire Mark was forever a Shark and we spoke with him after most games with us  giving him the blow by blow account of the game and of course any related tomfoolery that never made any formal match report. 

Wonderfully Mark was able to join us back in May at the 1st Central County Ground to watch the cup final. 

Whilst physically a  shadow of his former self, his wit and charm shone through and we were all delighted to have him there to share the day. When I spoke with him after the game he was so touched that he had been made to feel like he had never been away.

Andy Dalby-Welsh, former Sharks captain: "Burchy was a great man and a great club man. Sussex through and through. 

He was an absolute pleasure to captain during my time, he would always take his joy from other people’s achievements with a real sense of pride for them even when he was facing his incredibly challenging health battles." 

After battling cancer for over 20 years sadly Marks final innings closed on New Years eve  forever a Shark and he will be deeply missed.

One of our own, Mark “big bad Burchell  4th November 1964 – 31st December 2024) R.I.P

Ian "Tiny" Morris